N.B - This idea requires the use of one computer throughout the lesson and access to an email account.
An activity that can be happening throughout the lesson whilst students are working on other things. If you have access to a computer in your classroom, start by typing an essay title based on the topic being studied at the top of a word document. Ask for a student to volunteer to begin the essay. Each student must add no more than 2 or 3 sentences to the essay. The student must type up their addition and save before ‘passing the baton’ to one of their class mates. The next student must then continue by adding their 2 or 3 sentences. This can continue throughout the lesson until every student has contributed. You should then create a class mailing list and email the finished essay to every student. Their homework is to mark the essay using a mark scheme provided by you and bring it back to the next class. A whole class discussion should then take place about how the essay should be corrected to make it better. A volunteer can change the essay on the computer as the discussion unfolds. When all of the group are satisfied with the essay, it can be emailed out again so that each student has a copy for their notes.
Each student must create a character who they would play in a film. The character should have the same name as the student (or an exaggeration of it such as Lord/Lady/Sir/Madam etc). The character’s personality traits must be described fully and also their physical appearance should be described. The student can do a very brief outline of the plot for the film and could even draw their character. Once each student has completed their character description, you can randomly mix up students in groups of 4 or 5 and they must create a new film to include all of their characters. This is an excellent way of remembering the names of new classes at the start of the year.
The aim is to create groups with a strong group identity. You can either view the whole class as a group, or alternatively, you could randomly divide up the class into 4 or 5 groups. The group must firstly nominate a group leader. Secondly, the group must devise 5 rules which its members must adhere to. Thirdly, the group should create a name , slogan and flag - the flag should reflect the group’s identity and group members should make the flag to display in the classroom. You should then allow each group 2 minutes to explain to the rest of the class what their rules are, their name and slogan and what their flag symbolises. You could have the added incentive of a prize for the best group rules, this will create some friendly rivalry.
Each student must choose a theme song which sums up their life. They may choose a song with lyrics which describes their personality/hobbies/interests/ambitions/appearance etc. The student must then write their chosen song onto a post-it note (without mentioning their name) and stick it at the front of the classroom. You select random post-its and read them out and the class must guess whose theme song it is.
Ask students to write down three ‘facts’ about themselves. Two of the facts should be the truth and the third should be a lie. The lie must be plausible and not obvious. Their job is to try and trick other students into believing their lie. For example, their lie might be that they sleep with a light on every night because they are scared of the dark. Students take it in turns to read out their 3 facts to the class and their classmates must vote on which they believe to be a lie.
Ask students to all stand up and arrange themselves in a line at the front of the classroom according to various criteria. For example, smallest to the tallest (very easy, can be done visually), or youngest to the oldest (requires discussion and organisation). Other criteria for the line might be proximity to school/college, hours of television watched per week, number of pairs of shoes they own, pets they have etc…. You can then go along the line to check the order is correct allowing you to interact with each student.
Ask students to empty their pockets and display the contents on the table in front of them. Alternatively, if no pockets, ask students to find 3 key items from their bag to represent them. Students must then discuss their items and what they say about them, firstly with others on their table and then to the whole class. Add interest by voting on who has the most bizarre object on them.
Provide each student with a sheet of A3 paper and some felt tip pens. Instruct them to draw 3 images associated with them. For example, they may choose to draw a map of where they were born, their favourite TV show, an item of clothing, a favourite food, their mobile phone…..leave it up to them to decide. Once each student has completed their picture, provide them with blu tack and ask them to display them on the walls around the room. Students must then go round and correctly match up the pictures with the person who drew them and find out their name. You can join in too and draw your own pictures for students to guess. To finish, go round all of the pictures and ask the student who drew it to stand up and introduce themselves.
Create a grid which contains a list of 20 questions. Each question can relate to films, books, hair colour, family, favourite food, last holiday, sport, shoe size etc. Have fun inventing questions, for example what is your favourite sandwich filling? Students should fill in their own answers to the questions and then move around the class to find other students with the same/similar answers to theirs. You could enforce a rule that you can only use the same person for a maximum of two answers. This should encourage each student to interact with as many of their class mates as possible.